WWII Homefront: By Maya + Lauren

Question 1

Explain the impact of WWII on the economic recovery from the Great Depression.

Answer 1

The U.S got out of the Great Depression through spending money on WWII. The war created jobs for the jobless and stimulated businesses that were failing. Industries that couldn’t make money instead helped the military by creating planes, Jeeps, tanks, weapons, ships, etc. Most of Ally ammunition (60%) comes from the US (which was helped by the fact that no wars were in the U.S). Many people who needed work found a salary from work in the military. Only the government could borrow money, meaning they were the only ones able to get money from other countries to get out of the Great Depression.

Question 2

War bond drives

Answer 2

War bonds are a loan from the people to the government which will be repaid with interest in time.The war bonds were a big success in WWI, so the government decided to bring them back. This helped raise money to fund the war. Hollywood supported the war bonds and used propaganda, making it successful because people related to them. Ethnic groups pulled together to support the war.

Question 3

War industry

Answer 3

The war production board organized the manufacturing and delivering of Ally supplies to create a nice, easy process for the workers and troops. In addition, the war industry created jobs for the jobless and stimulated businesses that were failing.

Question 4

Women

Answer 4

Women began to show their potential and stepped up to fill vacated jobs. Some even served in the military (with non-combat roles). They showed that women can do more than just housekeeping and fueled the women’s rights movement. They made up 30% of the workforce at the time (although some lost their jobs when the men came back - but many more got to stay). Rosie the Riveter was a symbol of working women.

Question 5

African Americans

Answer 5

African Americans were still treated with disrespect, but with executive order 8802, discrimination was less of a problem. A second great migration brought many from the south to the north and west to find jobs. Others served in the military despite their poor treatment by their own country.

Question 6

Braceros

Answer 6

The U.S needed more food so they paid Hispanics to immigrate and grow food. Braceros were American Hispanics. Most worked on farms to meet the ever growing demand for food. Some also fought in the war.

Question 7

Rationing

Answer 7

Unfortunately, wars cause shortages (because all the workers are pulled to do war stuff). The government knew that there probably wouldn’t be enough supplies to go around, so they created rationing. Every American citizen was given the same ration book (no matter their age or wealth). Commercial businesses were told to only accept ration tickets when selling rationed items. This backfired a bit because sneaky people illegally copied the tickets/stole them.

Question 8

Internment of Japanese/Germans/Italian Americans

Answer 8

A bunch of people that were at war with the U.S were held prisoner. Some were actually given a small paying job. Most of the camps were in the Western U.S (AZ) because of less development and middle-of-nowhere-ness that prevented them from escaping.

Question 9

Native American Code Talkers

Answer 9

The Japanese were breaking Americans radio codes. So, Navajo Indians from Arizona (1942-1945) sent and decoded messages in an ancient Navajo language for the Marines. Their code was never broken, but the U.S broke Japan’s code. The Navajos were sent up to the front lines and delivered messages from troops to control centers. Later on they were recognized as war heros.

Question 10

Ira Hayes

Answer 10

A Native-American who joined the U.S Marines so he could leave the Reservation, eat regularly, and send money home to his family to help them have a better life. He was a dedicated Marine who was admired by his peers who fought alongside him in three major battles in the Pacific. He is most famous for, on February 23, 1945 (age 23), giving the final thrust to plant the American flag to claim victory over Japanese occupation. The famous photo titled “Flag Raising at Iwo Jima” was taken. The battle of Iwo Jima was costly - Hayes was one of the only survivors, hence his later fame (they needed famous people to support the war and picture became famous). He never saw himself as a hero. The war caused him to suffer from post-traumatic stress and descend into alcoholism, causing his early death.

Question 11

Mining

Answer 11

This took place in the Colorado Plateau and other parts of Arizona. Many things were mined for use in war including copper (used for ammunition), zinc, natural gas, coal, and most importantly uranium (used to make nuclear weapons). Uranium exists in only a few places, so miners tore up the grand canyon which was previously protected.

Question 12

Training bases

Answer 12

Luke Field (1941), renamed Luke Air Force Base after WWII, was named after a WWI flying ace. At one point, Luke Field trained 13,500 pilots for WWII. This was a good place to do this as it had similar conditions to places where they were fighting the real wars. Other AFBs included Williams Field, Falcon Field, ect. The army also set up 3 training camps. Arizona was chosen because of the middle-of-nowhere-ness (no one to crash into because air conditioning hadn’t been invented).

Question 13

POW & Internment Camps

Answer 13

POW = Prisoner of War. Agreement to just confine the prisoner instead of killing. In Arizona, this was Camp Florence which housed Italian and very few German prisoners (the US wasn’t super involved in German fighting at this point) of War (many Italian until June 1944). Most were caught in North Africa. The POWS could have a job and earn money as most picked cotton ($0.50/hour).

Question 14

Also in AZ?

Answer 14

Defense plants, research laboratories, and Japanese Internment Camps (see executive order 9906)

Question 15

Why Arizona?

Answer 15

Arizona seemed to be a safe place. Plants and bases could be far enough away from the city and major points for enemy attacks. (remote)

Question 16

Summarize the significance of the Supreme Court case of Korematsu v. United States.

Answer 16

Fred Korematsu was American-born and never went to Japan. So, he refused to go and was arrested and convicted. His case went to the Supreme Court (Korematsu v. United States). It was 6-3 to uphold the internment of the Japanese. The Constitution provided a legal basis for exclusion of American-Japanese. The ruling was later determined unlawful and unconstitutional (after WWII).

Question 17

Describe the impact of the Executive Order 9066.

Answer 17

Executive Order 9066 was issued in February 1942 by President Roosevelt. It stated that all Japanese people on the West Coast were to be “removed”. This included immigrants from Japan and Nisei (Japanese ancestry, born in America - American citizens). They were given limited time to sell or leave possessions behind. They were moved to internment camps (most located in the West). The goal was to take the Japanese-Americans out of society so they can’t sabotage or spy. FDR said it was to protect the Japanese people from racial hate crime, but other Americans said the Japanese were the enemy. The camps lasted throughout the war. Some were released in 1943 if they could pass a loyalty test or go into the military(442 and 100 Infantry fought in Europe). Though, they still weren’t always trusted. The camps officially closed in August 1945. On February 25, 1983, a commission ordered by Congress found “a grave injustice was done.” In 1988, President Reagan made the Civil Liberties Act which gave $20,000 to every living person who lived in a camp. Some were angry, as many Japanese-Americans lost their jobs and businesses. They also had to sell all of their belongings, meaning they had to start over in life. In short, the 20,000 dollars was nothing. ($20,000 is about $50,578.19 today)

Question 18

Describe the impact of the Executive Order 8802.

Answer 18

Executive Order 8802 outlawed discrimination in FEDERAL GOVT. DEFENSE INDUSTRIES. Segregation and racism still exists though. The order was made because discrimination was a problem when employers wouldn’t let non-whites take jobs to help the war effort. It helped the war effort when more people were working.